School system pulls out of deficit

The Jackson County School System has quickly rebounded from a deficit to end its fiscal year with a surplus.

After calculating its bills for the 2010 fiscal year — which ended on June 30 — district officials said this week that the school system has a $3.3 million ending fund balance.

At the close of the 2009 fiscal year, the district ended with a $908,600 deficit.

That led to the board of education adopting a deficit elimination plan outlining its expenses and income to close the financial gap.

Still, the district approved a layoff plan in April that cut 44 teaching and non-teaching positions. The board had approved a similar Reduction in Force (RIF) plan in March 2009, when 38 positions were eliminated and the Regional Evening School was closed for the 2009-2010 school year.

But with the slumping economy — and the possibility of additional state funding cuts this fiscal year — the school system isn’t entirely in the financial clear.

When the board approved its tentative 2011 fiscal year budget for $86.2 million in June, it also changed the 2010-2011 school year calendar to include eight furlough days for teachers. The school year for students was reduced by four days. The move saved the district $1.8 million.

This school year, Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) are still being asked to help provide basic supplies — such as copy paper — for schools.

For the complete story, see the July 28 issue of The Jackson Herald either in print on E-edition online.